Join us for a relaxing evening of s'mores and survival.

'Whooo' will hear 'whooo' first?

Relax and have a s'more by the campfire as we learn about one of our most common nocturnal animals: bats!

In honor of the solar eclipse passing over the United States on Monday, April 8th, 2024, join us for an informative program to better understand the amazing event you will witness.

Have you ever seen a solar eclipse?

Take a stroll along our lake shore as you visit several mesmerizing lights that have been placed in or along the lake.

Have you ever seen a solar eclipse?

Join us for this rare and fascinating event.

Join us for a relaxing evening of s'mores and survival.

For decades, citizen science has helped increase bluebird populations.

'Whooo' will hear 'whooo' first?

Join a ranger to learn how our beautiful lake came to be and the fascinating history of the lake's past inhabitants.

Take a stroll along our lake shore as you visit several mesmerizing lights that have been placed in or along the lake.

Virginia State Park license plate holders park for free on some of our national event days.  Parking fees will be waived on Earth Day (4/22), Arbor Day (4/26), National Kids to Parks Day (5/18), Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day (6/15), Veterans Day (11/11), and #OptOutside Day (11/29) for individuals with a Virginia State Park license plate.

Virginia State Park license plate holders park for free on some of our national event days.  Parking fees will be waived on Earth Day (4/22), Arbor Day (4/26), National Kids to Parks Day (5/18), Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day (6/15), Veterans Day (11/11), and #OptOutside Day (11/29) for individuals with a Virginia State Park license plate.

Help us celebrate our planet with some special Earth Day programming: Friday, April 26: 1 p.m.   Tree Identification Hike @ the Howe House  Join us for a scenic hike around the historical Howe house and learn how to identify some of our native trees.  4 p.m.   Claytor Crafts - Tree Cookies @ the Interpretive Campfire Circle in Campground D  Create something special with natural materials found around the park.

How do you tell trees apart?

Celebrate Arbor Day with a fun tree craft.

What happens when animals conquer new lands?

Take the fight to our invasive species!

Volunteer your time this Earth Day and help stop pollution.

'Whooo' will hear 'whooo' first?

Take a stroll along our lake shore as you visit several mesmerizing lights that have been placed in or along the lake.

Join a ranger to learn how our beautiful lake came to be and the fascinating history of the lake's past inhabitants.

Connect your family to nature with our special programming for Kids to Parks Day.

Have you ever wondered about the birds in your area?

Join a ranger to create something special from natural elements found around the park.

Use all your senses to learn something new about the environment.

What do you know about our scaly friends?

Virginia State Park license plate holders park for free on some of our national event days.  Parking fees will be waived on Earth Day (4/22), Arbor Day (4/26), National Kids to Parks Day (5/18), Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day (6/15), Veterans Day (11/11), and #OptOutside Day (11/29) for individuals with a Virginia State Park license plate.

It's a bird!

Do you like to hike?

Have you ever encountered a bear while hiking?

What is the perfect sized walking stick for you?

Do you believe in bigfoot?

Join the rangers for a unique hiking experience.

Save the date for the annual Claytor Lake Festival.

Virginia State Park license plate holders park for free on some of our national event days.  Parking fees will be waived on Earth Day (4/22), Arbor Day (4/26), National Kids to Parks Day (5/18), Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day (6/15), Veterans Day (11/11), and #OptOutside Day (11/29) for individuals with a Virginia State Park license plate.

Learn about the fascinating history of our park, our lake, and the surrounding area.

Join a ranger to create something special from natural elements found in the park.

Join a ranger to learn how our beautiful lake came to be and the fascinating history of the lake's past inhabitants.

Be on the lookout for a roaming ranger with a mini-program and learn something new.

Join us by the campfire for s’mores as April Martin from the Wilderness Road Regional Museum talks about the early history of our mountains.

Virginia State Park license plate holders park for free on some of our national event days.  Parking fees will be waived on Earth Day (4/22), Arbor Day (4/26), National Kids to Parks Day (5/18), Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day (6/15), Veterans Day (11/11), and #OptOutside Day (11/29) for individuals with a Virginia State Park license plate.

Virginia State Park license plate holders park for free on some of our national event days.  Parking fees will be waived on Earth Day (4/22), Arbor Day (4/26), National Kids to Parks Day (5/18), Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day (6/15), Veterans Day (11/11), and #OptOutside Day (11/29) for individuals with a Virginia State Park license plate.

Join us on a real or virtual hike through Claytor Lake State Park as we take a closer look at some of the beautiful native trees.

Did you know that Haven Howe was an early advocate for environmental reform in Virginia? Participate in person or virtually as we examine the fine craftsmanship of the Howe House and learn of its builder, inhabitants, and history.

Take a hike back in time by visiting our tour points located at the same location as our collection of photos and videos from past years at Claytor Lake State Park and Claytor Lake.

Earn your junior ranger patch through a variety of programs and fun family activities.  Visit the park office, gift shop, or contact station for a copy of our junior ranger booklet, or you can download it from the link below.

Contribute to citizen science by helping us create a time lapse of this mysterious site.